Hi to all network members of the Greenbox. This is our blog!
Here, we'll keep you posted about what's on in the region, all the latest enviro-news, our own upcoming events, training days, network events and more. We'll still email you, but now we also have the option of emailing with a link to the blog.
So keep telling us about your events and news, and we'll keep the network posted. You can subscribe to a feed to this blog by clicking the link at the bottom of the page

Monday, July 30, 2007

Solar Water Heating Workshop at the Gyreum22-23 SeptemberWorkshop provider: Andy WilsonThis two day workshop will look at all aspects of DIY Solar Water Heating. Working solar panels will be constructed from old domestic radiators and other scrap materials. Although a DIY solar panel costs very little and is relatively easy to make, the finished product is of a high standard and capable of heating water to 80 Celsius or more. Even in the winter months a DIY solar panel can be used to pre-warm water heated by more conventional means.Between the various practical sessions constructing the panels and incorporating them into simple plumbing circuits, there will be a number of short presentations covering site assessment, system sizing, plumbing configurations, thermal storage, integration with other heat sources, insulation, and safety considerations.This is a hands-on workshop with a limited number of places so that all participants get plenty of opportunity to get fully involved in panel construction and installation. While it will not be possible for participants to make their own solar panel from scratch during the workshop, participants are welcome to bring their own materials and work on them when time permits.For further information on the course content, contact Andy directly at 098 26281 or email andy@sustainability.ieBookings should be made through the Gyreum.Andy Wilson is editor of Sustainability magazine and works part time as a sustainable building and renewable energy consultant. He has a particular interest in low cost, low environmental impact projects which are able to reuse and recycle waste materials.

The contents of this e-mail (including attachments) are private and confidential and may also be subject to legal privilege. It is intended only for the use of the addressee. If you are not the addressee, or the person responsible for delivering it to the addressee, you may not copy or deliver this e-mail or any attachments to anyone else or make any use of its contents; you should not read any part of this e-mail or any attachments. Unauthorised disclosure or communication or other use of the contents of this e-mail or any part thereof may be prohibited by law and may constitute a criminal offence.If you receive this e-mail by mistake please notify info@greenbox.ie

Thursday, July 26, 2007

Anke Morgenroth of Bear Essentials in Bawnboy along with the support of ‘WIN Ireland’ and ‘West Cavan and Fermanagh Economic Development Project is hosting a Networking Event.

This is a great opportunity to bring local businesses, from West Cavan, Fermanagh and Leitrim, together to support and learn from each other's experiences as well as to promote the businesses in the region.

If you are thinking about going into business this will also be a great opportunity for you to find out what is available, get feedback and build up your confidence in going forward.

Format for the evening:

· Showcase of local businesses. NB: this is open to all business sectors, from manufacturing to retail as well as accommodation providers, consultants or other professionals.· Brief demonstrations from local businesses.· Presentation of networking initiative including the benefits of networking· Speed networking – (This will give you the opportunity to meet with other women, and exchange details)· Discussion groups on the barriers for business women in the region, the gaps and how can we adapt the WIN model to the needs of women in West Cavan.

Wednesday, July 25, 2007

We have been a little quiet on the Networking side of things for the last while mainly due to the fact that people are busy and we have tried not add to your work load at this time of year .This is just a general email out to you all re: some things of interest.

Firstly I am away on annual leave from today July 25th until September 3rd... Ollie is also away until August 10th so all queries to Olga for anything urgent.

Workshop on Community Participation in Countryside Management coming up in see attached file. First come first serve.

Hug the Bundle is delighted to report that Fermanagh District Council has implemented an incentive scheme to promote the use of real nappies. Every new mother living in the Fermanagh area is to receive a £30 voucher towards a starter pack of real nappies. The voucher can be collected when registering a birth at the Town Hall in Enniskillen. Please pass on the word and make sure if you are eligible to collect your pack. The following article provides more information on the scheme.http://www.nwipp-newspapers.com/fh/free/298213763465343.php

Teresa O Hare may be in contact with you in the next while; she is carrying out a network analysis and will be approaching network members with a comprehensive questionnaire. please , please respond to it , your opinion is very important in the shaping of the network for the future.

Reminder to you all - keep sending us information about your businesses so that we can post it up on the blog.

Coming up

Next Network meeting is on Wednesday 5th of September in Inishbeg Cottages in Blaney in Fermanagh 8.00pm

Eu flower training scheduled to start within the next two weeks. We have had a lot of interest in this and have signed up 13 people so far…(Free)

Greenbox standards training notice of select tender list has gone up on the server, tenders expected back during August and training scheduled to start September (Free)

Ecotourism certificate training to be delivered in the autumn after a suitable organization has been identified.

The courses are run at Carratraw Bridge on the edge of Lough Erne, lovely clean water on a secluded river making it an ideal location to enjoy the thrill of learning a new skill.Excellent qualified instructors that are enthusiastic and experienced to ensure you are safe, learn the fundamental techniques, and the simple safety rules that will help you enjoy a lifetime of water activities.

A limited number of places are still available on the above courses.The commencement of the above and other courses will depend on the level of interest in each particular course. The above Senior Courses are suitable for persons over the age of 16.

Tuesday, July 17, 2007

This is a day long course where students bring their own 10liter bucket and make their own hard cheese of one kg.We are using raw milk and during the course of making the cheese we will have coffee and lunch. the course starts at 11 am and finishes at 5pm.After about three month we will all meet again to taste each others cheeses which will have been matured under each students individual conditions.The making of the cheese takes place in the yard and it is a good opportunity to learn and meet new people at the same time.Contact

Silke CroppCorleggy cheesesBelturbetCo.Cavan

Grow with The Organic Centre

is the theme for this year’s Garden Day at The Organic Centre, Rossinver, Co. Leitrimon Sunday 22nd of July from 11am -5pm.

Every garden can be run organically, from the smallest to the largest, whatever the location and everyone young and old,can grow organic vegetables, fruit, herbs and flowers. It is now widely accepted that organic growing produces healthy nutritious food.

On Garden Day we want to encourage everyone to grow organically and we will show how to do it successfully.

Walks, talks, workshops and displays will deal with best practice, rotation, seed sowing, protected cropping, composting, growing herbs and fruit, slug control, pest and disease control. Staff and students of the centre will be on hand during the day to give advice.

One of the main features of the day will be a presentation on community gardening as a critical link between small scale family gardening and commercial growing.

There is a new financial incentive available from The Leitrim Head Start Award for more information contact the email address below .leitrimnewlife@leitrimcoco.ieExpressions of interest should be emailed in before July 31st 2007. A full application pack will be circulated to all those who applied in August.It is worth €33000 to a new business.An evaluation panel will select the best new business in the Autumn.

Monday, July 9, 2007

Sustainable Travel International (STI) is a global leader in sustainable tourism development. The 501(c)(3) non-profit organization’s mission is to promote sustainable development and responsible travel by providing programs that enable consumers, businesses and travel-related organizations to contribute to the environmental, socio-cultural and economic values of the places they visit, and the planet at large.